Automatic signal for railroad crossings



March 11 1924.

B. B. CUNNINGHAM AUTOMATIC SIGNAL FOR RAILROAD CROSSINGS Filed Feb. 20, 1923 2 Sheatsz sheer. 1

gwbzniov March 11 1924. 1,486,514

B. B. CUNNINGHAM AUTOMATIC SIGNAL FOR RAILROAD CROSSINGS WATCH T; LIGHT IIIIII/IIIIIIIIIIII/III/////A gwtmnkw BUurznzrzy/zam. 71'; 5..

PatentedMar. 11 1924.

BOYD B. CUNNTNGHAM, 0F .A'I'CHISON, KANSAS.

AUTOMATIC SIGNAL FOR RAILROAD CROSSINGS.

Application filed February 20, 1923. Serial No. 620,256.

To all whom it may] concern:

Be it known that I, Born B. CUNNING- HAM, a citizen'of the United States, residing at Atchison, in the'county of Atchison and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Signals for Railroad Crossings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an automatic signal for a railroad crossing and has for its principal object to provide a device which is adapted to be positioned at the intersection of a crossing with the railroad tracks whereby a visual signal is displayed at the intersection and operated by a train as the same approaches the crossing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic signal for a railroad crossing of the above mentioned character, which will at all times indicate to vehicles or the like on the highway and which are about to approach the railroad tracks whether or not a train is near or approaching the crossing and furthermore is of such a construction so as to enable the same to be automatically operated by the approach ofthe train.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an automatic railroad signal for railroad crossings of the above mentioned character, which includes means for displaying a visual signal upon the approach of a train at the crossing and furthermorev includes means on the opposite side of the crossing for placing the visual signal in an inoperative position after the train has crossed the highway. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic railroad signal for railroad crossings of the above mentioned character, which includes means for operating a visual signal at the intersection of the crossing with the railroad tracks and is of such a construction as to enable the Slgnal to be operated positively regardless of the direction in which the train is coming and irrespective of the number of times the train crosses the highway and whether or not the trains are running in an alternating manner.

' A still further object of the invention is rovide an automatic railroad signal for rai road crossings of the above mentioned character, which is simplein construction, inexpensive, strong, durable and further well adapted for the purpose for which it is designated.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the same Figure 1 is a top plan view of a railroad crossing showing the position upon the railroad tracks of the signal operating means and also the signal at the intersection of the highway therewith.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the warning sign.

Figure 3 is a centrallongitudinal section of the signal operating member showing the trip in side elevation.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the trip mechanism.

Figure 5 is a central section of the signal lamp.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a detail view of one of the lenses of the globe, and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the wiring in conjunction with the switches.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shownthe preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates the highway or crossing which crosses the railroad 2 at the point 3 as more clearly shown inFig. 1 of the drawings. In proximity to the intersection of the highway 1 with the railroad tracks 2 is erected a standard 4 which is preferably formed of tubing and extending outwardly from the upper end of the standard 4 is the arm 5. This arm 5 has at itsouter end a dependin portion 6 which supports the visual signa lamp 7 in any suitable manner.

The visual signal lamp 7 comprises a supporting member 8 and adapted to be supported upon the top of this supporting member 8 and carried by the depending member 6 is a suitable shade 9 which is provided with a reflecting inner surface 10. Supporting screws 11 are provided in the lower portion of the supporting member 8 and these screws 11 support the globe 12 by extending inwardly of the supporting member 8 so as to permit the flanges 13 at the upper ends of the glObB 12 to rest on the supporting screws 11.

The globe 12 is provided with two translucent opposed sides which form lenses and which are adapted to face the highway 1. The globe 12 has its portions which face the railroad track 2 open. The translucent sides of the globe 12 are provided with cutout portions 14 in the side edges thereof and the ends oi which terminate at a point adjacent the top and bottom of the translucent sides as more clearly shown in Fig. 7 t the drawings. Adapted to be supported between the translucent sides or lenses oi the globe 12 and fittin snugly within the cutout portion 14 formed therein are the opaque members 15 which when in proper position face the railroad tracks 2. A socket 16 is carried by the supporting member 8 and is preferably provided with two outlet-s which receive the electric light bulbs 17 and these bulbs 17 extend down into the globe 2 and are positioned directly behind the translucent sides as more'clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The translucent sides of the globe 12 are of a light green color and the electric bulbs are of a red color for the purpose hereinafter to be more fully described.

At a point a suitable distance from the crossing 1 and the standard 4 upon which is supported the signal lamp 7 is arranged the trip or actuating means 18 for operating the signal lamp 7. The trip or actuating means 18 comprises a casing 19 which is adapted to be supported between the cross ties 20 upon which the rails 2 are Supported and is furthermore arranged centrally between the rails 2. The casing 19 is provided with an open top as more clearly shown x 21 in thedrawings and supported within the casing 19 and in the open top 21 thereof are the guide members 22. These guide members 22 are provided with longitudinal slots 23 adjacent their respective ends. Sl-idably mounted between the guide members 22 is the trip member which is actuated by the pilot of the train. The operation of these elements will be hereinafter more fully de scribed.

The trip member comprises a pair of arms which are similar in construction as shown at 24 in the drawings and these arms 24 have their inner ends provided with interfitting fingers which are provided with registering openings extending" transversely theret-hrough. A'pintle or pin 25 passes through the registering openings formed in the interfittinq fingers of the arms 24 for the purpose of providing a hinged 'joint between the arms 24. The outer ends of the arms 24 carry the transverse pins 26 the free ends of which extendbeyond the sides ot'the arms 24 and are adapted to extend and be re ceived in the slots 23 provided in the guide members 22 for the purpose of guiding the free ends of the arms 24 when the trip is operated.

A worm gear 27 has at its upper end a reduced portion designated at 28 and this reduced portion 28 is provided with an opening adjacent its upper end wnich permits the reduced portion 28 ot the worm gear 27 to be disposed between the intertitting fingers ot' the arms 24 and. the opening formed in the reduced portion 28 will relister with the openings provided in the inter fitting fingers of the arms 24 and will also receive the pintle 25 and thereby support the worm gear 27 and cause the same to be operated simultaneously with the operation oi the arms 24 as will he hcreii'ui'ttcr more fully described.

A suitable guide is at ached to one side of the casing 19 in any sui ile manner and is provided w an opening 30 tor the purpose of permi Win the worm gear 27 to pass therethrongh and be held in an operative position. The worm gear 27 is adapted to mesh with a gear wheel 31 which carried by a transverse shaft 32 supported in the casing 19. The shaft 32 also carries the operating member or switch Finger 33 of the well known type of three way switch which is wired up with the signal lamp 7 in the usual manner. A guide plate 34 similar to the guide plate is supported by one of the guide members 22 and is also in registry with the guide 29 and receives the upper end of the worm gear 27. A. suitable coil spring 35 encircles the worm gear 27 and its respective ends are secured to the guide plates 29 and 3 1 to normally cause the hinged inner ends of the arms 24 to extend above the top of the cross tie 20.

There are two of these trips 18. one on each side of the crossing or highway 1. as more clearly shown in Fig. .1 of the drawings thereby allowing trains going in either direction upon the rails 2 to operate the signal lamp 7.

Placed along the highway 1 and a short distance from the railroad tracks 2 are suitable posts 36 which are driven into the ground adjacent the highway and carry the warning signs 37. These warning signs 37 are arranged on each side at the railroad tracks 2 and are for the purpose of indicating to the drivers of vehicles on the road that they are about to approach. railroad tracks and their attention is dir cted to the signal lamp which is positioned at the intersection of the crossing with the railroad. tracks.

Normally the signal lamp 7 when a train is not approaching the highway 1 will cause the operator of the vehicle approaching the railroad crossing to see a green light which indicates that the tracks are clear and that he can pass over the same. However, when the railroad train approaches or is about to approach the crossing 1 the pilot of the train will be caused to engage the arms 24 of the trip member 18 which normally extend above the cross ties 20 and upon the pilot coming in engagement withthe arms 24 of the trip member 18 the same will be caused to'be depressed and as these arms 24 are depressed they cause the worm ear 27 and the reduced portion 28 carried thereby which is connected to the arms 24'to rotate the gear wheel 31 which mesheswith the worm gear 27 and thereby cause the actuation of the switch finger 33 mounted upon the shaft 32 and will complete a circuit whereby the red light in the globe 12 will be caused to light and display a red light throughthe translucent lenses 12 of the globe and thereby indicate tothe driver of the vehicle on the highway that a train is approaching. These lights may be visible at a suitable distance so that the driver of a vehicle will be given sufiicient warning before he has approached the railroad tracks. After the vehicle has operated the switch on one side of the crossing and has passed over the crossing 1 the pilot will strike the arms 24 of the trip member 18 arranged on the opposite side of the crossroad to cause the switch finger to be brought out of contact with the remaining portions of the switch and thereby break the circuit which will in turn cause the red light to be distinguished and again permit the green translucent lenses to be seen by the operator of H the vehicle on the highway. As mentioned above, the switch used in connection with lighting and turning out the lenses 17 is the three Way switch and is of the usual construction and by further providing a a switch of this construction it will be seen that any number of trains can pass over the crossing 1 and thereby causing the operation of the lighting of the red lights in one position and cause the turning out of the lights 3 after the train has passed the crossing in the well known manner. It is furthermore to be noted that it is not necessary for a train to first pass over the tracks and operate the signal and then to have a train coming in the opposite direction in order to further cause the proper functioning of the signal lamp 7 but, any number of trains may pass over the crossing 1 and the trip members 18 which are associated and connected with the signal lamp 7 and will furthermore assure the operation of the signal lamp at all times.

It is to be further understood that a flickering or alternating light as well as a steady light may be used in connection with my signal.

The simplicity of my automatic signallin device renders the same very eificient an easily placed in position upon the railroad tracks and furthermore does not necessitate the employment of a watchman at the crossing and by providing a signalling apparatus of the above mentioned character at the in tersectionoof a cross road with the railroad tracks there isnt any danger of the operator of a vehicle upon the crossroad to neglect the signal due to the fact that the signal lamp will at all'times display a sufficient and powerful light to be visible and indicate to the driver of the vehicle whether or not a train is approaching the crossing.

'From the foregoing description of the construction of my improved apparatus, it will be seen that I have provided a simple, inexpensive and efficient means for carrying out the objects of the invention, and while I have particularly described the elements best adapted to perform. the function set forth, it is obvious that various changes in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

What I-claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An automatic signal of the class described, comprising a casing, a trip member movable in the said casing, a reciprocating member carried by said trip member, a rotatable member actuated by the said reciprocating member, a switch operating means associated with said rotatable member, a visual signal operated by said switch, and spring means associated with the reciprocating member for returning the trip member to an operative position.

2. An automatic signal of the class described including a casing, spaced guide members in the top of said casing, trip members hingedly connected at their inner ends and movable between the said guide members, a reciprocating member connected to said trip members at the hinged connection therebetween, guides in the said casing for the said reciprocating member, a transverse shaft in the said casing. a rotatable member keyed to said shaft and actuated by the said reciprocating member, a switch operated by said rotatable member, a visual signal operated by said switch, and a coil spring associated with the reciprocating member for returning the same to an operative position.

3. An automatic signal of the class de scribed comprising a casing, spaced guide members in the top of the said casing, said guide members provided with longitudinal slots adjacent the respective ends thereof, trip members hingedl connected at their inner ends and mova 1e between the said guide members, transverse pins extending from the free ends of the said trip members and receivable in the said slots in the guide members, a reciprocating member connected to the said trip members at the hinged con- 7 therebetween guides in the said casa r receiving the reciprocating member t extending transversely through said ca :1 a rotatable member keyed to said shaft and actuated by said reciprocating memben a three way switch in the said casing and operated by the said rotatable member. a visual signal associated with the said casing at a point remote therefrom. said visual signal having the lights therein operated by said three way switch, and a coil spring encircling said reciprocating member for returning the same and the trip members to an operative position.

L. An automatic signal of the class described comprising a casing, spaced guide members in the top of said casing, trip members hingedly connected at their inner ends and movable between the said guide members, a worm gear provided with a reduced portion at its upper end for connection with the trip members at the hinged connection therebetween, guide members for said worm gear, a transverse shaft in the said casing, a gear wheel carried by said shaft, said gear wheel rotated by said worm gear, a switch operated by said gear wheel, a visual signal associated with the said casing at a point remote therefrom and operated by said switch, and a coil spring encircling said worm gear and disposed between the said guide members tor returning the same and the trip members to an operative position.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

BOYD B. CUNNINGHAM. 

